Imagine being known for working day and night for dawah, for feeding the poor, for qiyyam, for being a hafidh, for looking after the orphans, for calling to Islam or for any other good deed you can think of. Imagine believing that all these deeds you do will help you in the aakhirah. Imagine feeling at ease and comfort. Then imagine having it all rejected. Yes,my dear brothers and sisters, that could be a reality facing each and every single one of us if our intention is not correct.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Actions are but by intentions and each person will have but that which he intended.”
Our intention is what turns halal acts in to acts of worship. Do you not then think that it deserves attention so that it is purely for His sake and free from any bit of showing off? Our intention could be the difference between a large deed leading to our destruction and a small deed leading to a life of eternal bliss. And if you ever needed a reminder of the severity of this topic, then refresh your mind with the following hadith:
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him`) said, "I heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say,
The first of people against whom judgment will be pronounced on the Day of Judgment will be a man who had died a martyr. He will be brought and Allah will make known to him His Favors and he will recognize them. (The Almighty) will say: And what did you do about them? He Will say: I fought for You until I died a martyr. He will say: You have lied - you only fought so that it might be said (of you}: He is courageous. And so it was said. Then, he will be Ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. (Another) will be a man who had studied (religious) knowledge and had taught it and who used to recite the Quran. He will be brought and Allah will make known to him. H is Favors and he will recognize them. (The Almighty) will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: I studied (religious) knowledge and I taught it and I recited the Quran for Your sake. He will say: You have lied - you only studied (religious) knowledge so that it might be said (of you): He is learned. And you recited the Quran that it might he said (of you): He is a reciter. And so it was said. Then he will he ordered to be dragged along on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. (The other) will be a man whom Allah had made rich and to whom He had given all kinds of wealth. He will he brought and Allah will make known to hint His Favors and he will recognize them. (The Almighty) will say: And what did you do about them? He will say: l have left no path in which. You like money to be spent without spending in it for your sake. He will say: You have lied - you did but do so that it might be said (of you): He is generous. And so it was said. Then he will be ordered to he dragged on his face until he is cast into Hell-fire. "
So the next time you do anything, make sure it is purely for the sake of Allah, for this life is temporary and the rewards you seek in this world are nothing compared to what you could achieve in the aakhirah. May Allah purify our hearts to do good deeds for His sake alone. May Allah protect us from showing off and may He accept our good deeds.
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